Here’s to the Uncommon Ones
Uncommon Missions
I love when I see someone pursuing a big mission or dream. There’s something about it that transcends the norm—especially when it comes at a cost. These are the people who truly inspire us, the ones we remember long after they’re gone.
Most missions today have become common. Especially in the business world, they tend to follow the same pattern. Something like:
“We strive for excellence in xyz. We aim to leave a legacy in our community of excellence and service doing xyz. Our mission is to be an excellent provider of xyz for years to come, making an impact for those we serve.”
You get the point.
At their core, most missions are about doing more of what we do, for as long as we can do it, and for as many people as we can reach. That’s not all bad—it’s just common.
Uncommon missions, on the other hand, fulfill those same goals but also aim to bring something bigger into the space they occupy. Their impact goes beyond the product or service, and into the hearts of people. They stir something. They challenge norms. They advance some kind of meaningful change.
And often? It costs those pursuing it.
But for the few people it truly impacts, it could mean the world.
A Biblical Example: John the Baptist – Living in the Wilderness
Mission: Prepare the way for the Messiah by preaching repentance in the desert.
Why it was uncommon:
John lived off locusts and wild honey, wore camel hair, and preached truth boldly to religious elites. There were already plenty of preachers and scholars—probably some who knew the scriptures better than John.
But John wasn’t called to plant a synagogue or teach weekly Torah studies. His mission was prophetic: to prepare hearts, challenge expectations, and stir anticipation for something far greater than himself.
That kind of mission doesn’t come without a cost. Social isolation, harsh living conditions, and eventually—his life.
Can you imagine eating bugs for the sake of your calling?
Praise God most of us aren’t called to that. But we are called to something.
Quick Mission Check
I personally love examining mission statements. And I’ve boiled it down to a simple exercise you can use to check if your mission is truly uncommon:
Ask yourself two questions:
Who gets the glory if this mission succeeds?
Who does our mission ultimately serve if we win?
If either answer points inward—to you, your company, or your own gain—then it’s likely a common mission. Again, there’s nothing wrong with profitability or building a great team culture. Companies need to win.
But if the only reason your mission exists is to make money and keep going, eventually things grow stale. Culture fades. Purpose drifts.
If your answers are outward—glory and service go to others (or better yet, to God)—then you’re likely onto something uncommon.
Let’s Be Uncommon This Week
Let’s pursue purpose that stretches beyond ourselves. Let’s step into missions that inspire, challenge, and maybe even cost us something. Because that’s where the true impact is found.
Here’s to the uncommon ones.
-Mark
